Best Master's In Aeronautics/Aviation Degrees

Overview

Purdue University hits it out of the park with its MS in Aviation and Aerospace Management program. Not only is it the best in the nation, but also the most affordable program on our list. Purdue University was established in 1869 as a leading land-grant research institution in Indiana. Today it offers close to 300 quality degree programs.

Program Features

With this MS in Aviation and Aerospace Management you’ll tackle top management roles like systems integration, operational analysis, and more. Your curriculum will center around 30 credits (or 10 to 11 classes) of upper-level coursework. The degree culminates in a capstone research project. Along the way you’ll take classes such as:

• Aviation Leadership
• International Civil Aviation Regulatory Systems
• Aviation Fuels and Emissions
• Process Improvement and Simulation

Notables

Purdue University sets you up for success before and after this degree program. If you’re looking to fast-track your bachelor’s and master’s degree, you can take part in the combined BS-MS program. Or the Purdue School of Aviation and Transportation Technology also offers a PhD in Technology if you want to continue your studies.

Overview

Founded as a land-grant university, The Ohio State University is a public institution in Columbus, Ohio. The university also operates branch campuses in five other locations throughout the state. OSU consistently ranks high among other public schools. In fact, this year U.S. News & World Report listed it at #16 in the nation.

Program Features

The Ohio State University offers a Master’s in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. You can choose either a thesis-track plan or a non-thesis track. Either way, this degree will give you more than enough resources to do graduate-level research in the field. Your roughly 30 credit-hours in this degree will be divided into the following areas:

• 18 credits in Core courses
• 12 credits in Aeronautical courses
• 3 credits in a final seminar course

Notables

At The Ohio State University, you’ll have premier access to some of the best research equipment in the nation. Students work side-by-side with faculty in the Aeronautical and Astronautical Research Laboratories to conduct research. Some current projects include compressible turbulence, gas turbine engine aeromechanics, and more.

Overview

As an institution, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University is as close to an expert in aeronautics as you’re going to get. Founded in 1926, Embry Riddle began as a regional school for pilots. It has grown into a large university that offers everything from engineering to business to cyber security. It maintains campuses in Florida, Arizona, and abroad.

Program Features

The MS in Aeronautics at Embry Riddle helps you bring a career into focus. This degree is offered at all three campuses. You’ll undergo 33 credit-hours in total. A little over half is designated to your foundational curriculum. The next half gives you the chance to specialize. Here’s a sneak peek into some core classes:

• Statistical Analysis for Aviation/Aerospace
• The Air Transportation System
• Aircraft Design and Development
• Application of Unmanned Systems

Notables

This program features an impressive ten specializations. You can choose from the following areas: Air Traffic Management, Aviation/Aerospace Education Technology, Aviation/Aerospace Operations, Aviation/Aerospace Safety Systems, Human Factors, Aeronautics, Space Studies, Unmanned Aerospace Systems, and more.

Overview

Known as the oldest public university on the west coast, San Jose State University was established in 1857. Because of its location, the school is known to be a top feeder for jobs in the Silicon Valley. Last year, over 33,400 students were enrolled in San Jose State University’s roughly 150 programs.

Program Features

San Jose State University offers an MS in Aerospace Engineering that prepares you for research, testing, operations, and development in the field. The master’s degree requires 30 credit-hours in total. Your culminating experience will be the option of a thesis or a capstone project. Your first semester course load might look like this:

• Advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Orbital Mechanics and Mission Design
• Advanced Astrodynamics
• Spacecraft Dynamics and Control

Notables

Aside from the amazing coursework you’ll take for the general requirements, San Jose State University also includes two focus areas. You can concentrate in Aircraft Design or Space Transportation & Exploration. Each focus area includes six credit-hours devoted to a relevant course.

Overview

Kalamazoo is home to Western Michigan University, a public research university. The school maintains an impressively large campus, spanning five different locations in the city. Western Michigan University is also known to have one of the top aviation programs in the nation.

Program Features

Western Michigan University pulls out all the stops for the Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering. You not only will undertake rigorous and specialized classes, you’ll also have the chance to hone your skills to a particular subset of the field. You also have the choice between a thesis or non-thesis degree. Here’s a look at some classes:

• Atmospheric Flight Dynamics and Control
• Finite Element Method
• Design Optimization
• Advanced Fluid Dynamics

Notables

Your choice in a wide selection of concentrations makes the program at Western Michigan University shine. You can choose from the following: Aerospace Structure and Materials, Aerodynamics and Propulsion, Flight Dynamics and Control, Emerging Aerospace, and more.